new macbook user ...

hi
i hv my macbook for few days now ,loving it and spending a lot of time learning it , got a quick q's
i hv d/loaded the firefox and adium but everytime i shut down my book and restart it , i hv to install the firefox from the installation file as the icon from the desktop vanishes.
any tips?
am i doin something wrong?
regards
sak

You're technically not installing the programs. To do that, you have to open up those icons that pop up on your desktop and then drag the program's icon inside to your Applications folder. THEN it is installed.

If you want to make a shortcut to those programs on your Dock, just navigate to your Applications folder and drag the program to your Dock. It will automatically create a shortcut.

thanx...

hey thanx , i got it